Volatile Incense

Ouya Android Console!

2012-07-25T06:05:00.001-07:00

Haven't posted anything in a long while. No idea why, because I was enjoying writing random stuff down. But that doesn't stop me from starting again!

One of the things a friend pointed out at me was the Ouya Kickstarter Project. As an aspiring programmer and an avid gamer, I am quite simply delighted at this prospect. It's basically a game console wihout all the lousy M$/Sony/Nintendo patents and liscneces slapped on that make it virtually impossible for an indie developer to publish anything on a console without either having oodles of money or being backed by one of the major businesses in the industry.


I just adore that sleek design.

And while my wallet isn't overflowing with ginormous amounts of cash, I've already pledged my support for this kickstarter project. And I'm certainly not the only one. The goal for this project was $950,000. As of this post, they have already garnered $5,489,691 in support of this console. Considering the current console market, I am really not surprised by this. We can definately look forward to it being released.

There has already even been an announcement for an Ouya-based exclusive game. Now that's what I call progress!

I'm definately keeping my eye on this!

Japan, it remains on everyone's mind.

2011-04-04T11:26:00.000-07:00

Everyone, from my close friends to the customers I chat with in my store, it's the one topic that keeps coming back up. The web is also full of interesting articles about this (at times horrific) topic.

The radiation issue is something that worries me personally. Not because of the radiation per se, but about the future of 'clean' energy. Ofcourse, it's definately true that radiation leaks are nothing to scoff at, but in the end nuclear energy is a lot cleaner then fossil fuel-based energy generation. Not to mention the political impact of the ever scarcening fossil fuels.

There have already been fearmongers that perpetuate the 'nuclear = evil'-myth. And not your average village idiot either. No. Greenpeace is using Japan in their scare tactics as well. It disgusts me how uninformed these people are. For all the good intentions, they seem to have little knowledge about the facts in this and many other matters.

But before I bury myself into a depression, I also have some good news!

Remember the dog I posted the video about earlier? It has been reunited with it's owner! This kind of thing makes me feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside.

And on that positive note, I bid you a good day!

Photoshop - In need of opinions!

2011-04-03T12:34:00.000-07:00

Hey again!

I've been fiddling around with Photoshop and I need some opinions! I've got some experience with photoshop and don't consider myself a total newbie, but I'm definately not an expert either. As such, I need a few opinions on a watercolor photoshop effect I've been working on.

First the original picture:

Click the picture for original size!

I intentionally picked this picture because it's not a bland landscape or a simple still image and I wanted to see if the results translated correctly on such a picture.

Here is the result:

Click the picture for original size!

I, myself, am fairly happy with the results. But experience unfortunately taught me that I really do need other people to proof my work because my opinion is ever so slightly skewed.

So! Comment, criticize or shower me in endless compliments and words of adoration!

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P.S.: The poll is still up!

Japan, disaster and hope go hand in hand

2011-04-03T02:22:00.000-07:00

Can you imagine being adrift at sea for 3 weeks straight? I know I can't. But after having been stranded for 3 weeks at sea on some floating debris, this dog has been rescued. I find this to be completely awesome and brings a smile on my face after having watched and followed all the horrible stuff that has been happening in Japan. It also makes me somewhat hopeful that more of the missing people might be found even after all this time.

I take a deep bow to the will to survive of this dog.

Watch the video here;

P.S.: The poll is still open!

Fergie ft. Slash... I never knew...

2011-04-02T15:55:00.000-07:00

Personally, I never really liked Black Eyes Peas. Sure some of their songs were catchy, but that genre has never been my cup of tea. But now, Fergie (singer from Black-Eyed Peas) has done something completely awesome. I never knew her voice would this great in a rock-themed music clip. I really wish she'd do more of this klind of stuff.

Did I mention the sheer hotness of the video itself? ^_^

Have a look for yourselves;

For some reason, the vids are region blocked. View the appropriate vid!

(EU/South America)

(US/Canada)

*APPLAUD*

*CHEER*

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P.S.: The poll for the Sunday theme is still up! Vote for the theme you wish to see here every sunday!

P.P.S.: 1000 views! Thank you guys! =D

What do YOU want?

2011-04-01T10:31:00.000-07:00

I've decided that Sundays will have a theme on my Blog. It's up to you to decide what that theme will be!

Your choices;

Good music videos-day (good in my opinion anyway :P).
Hot babe day!
Noteworthy news day.
Humor day.

Note; Poll is on the ~~left~~ right! (d'oh!)

I used to be a Samsung fan...

2011-03-31T00:36:00.000-07:00

I just thought I'd add this tidbit, as I found it quite disturbing. Did anyone there actually think putting a keylogger in netbooks was a good idea!?

Samsung responds to installation of keylogger on its laptop computers
Security Strategies Alert By M. E. Kabay and Mohamed Hassan Mohamed Hassan, Network World
March 30, 2011 11:15 AM ET

The long view of security strategies for your network.

In the first part of this two-part report, MSIA 2009 graduate Mohamed Hassan told of discovering a keylogger on two different models of Samsung portable computers. Today he continues the story. Everything that follows is Mr Hassan's own work with minor edits.
* * *
On March 1, 2011, I called and logged incident 2101163379 with Samsung Support (SS). First, as Sony BMG did six years ago, the SS personnel denied the presence of such software on its laptops. After having been informed of the two models where the software was found and the location, SS changed its story by referring the author to Microsoft since "all Samsung did was to manufacture the hardware." When told that did not make sense, SS personnel relented and escalated the incident to one of the support supervisors.
The supervisor who spoke with me was not sure how this software ended up in the new laptop thus put me on hold. He confirmed that yes, Samsung did knowingly put this software on the laptop to, as he put it, "monitor the performance of the machine and to find out how it is being used."

In other words, Samsung wanted to gather usage data without obtaining consent from laptop owners.
While in the Sony BMG security incident described in the first article in this pair one had to buy and install the CD on one's computer, Samsung has gone one step further by actually preinstalling the monitoring software on its brand laptops. This is a déjà vu security incident with far reaching potential consequences. In the words of the of former FTC chairman Deborah Platt Majoras, "Installations of secret software that create security risks are intrusive and unlawful." (FTC, 2007).
Samsung's conduct may be illegal; even if it is eventually ruled legal by the courts, the issue has legal, ethical, and privacy implications for both the businesses and individuals who may purchase and use Samsung laptops. Samsung could also be liable should the vast amount of information collected through StarLogger fall into the wrong hands.

[Mich Kabay adds:]
We contacted three public relations officers for Samsung for comment about this issue and gave them a week to send us their comments. No one from the company replied.
Good luck, Samsung! We see a class-action lawsuit in your future….

>CLICK FOR SOURCE<

Have fun getting spied upon by Big Bro... eh... I mean Samsung!

*crosses Samsung off list to buy crap from*

Preinstalling spyware on brand new hardware. Go and die in a ditch please. I value my privacy (as much as you can get nowadays anyway). These kind of asspulls really piss me of in a royal manner. You pay them buckets of money for already overpriced merchandise and you still get taken out back and given the proverbial %#^%&$&. (Yes, that was censored for the good of everyone...).

More awesomesauce

2011-03-30T15:12:00.000-07:00

Just ran into this and... I'm so impressed!

Seriously... O_O

What the... >_>

Hell... <_<

I wish I were that creative.

EDIT:

Have you ever had such a day that at the end of it, you feel like punching a random person just to relieve some stress? I just had such a day. Complete asshat customers at work that wouldn't know how to use a screwdriver. You try explaining how to plug in a powercord into a socket for something to work without sounding like an offensive bastard. Seriously... Someone came into the store because he thought his tv was broken. He made a picture with his phone of all the cables in the back. There was no powercord. I hadn't had such a *facepalm* moment for a long time.

Add to that about 15 more customers with the IQ of a dead cow.

**Also, I'm just ranting and venting here... don't read on if you don't feel like it. xD**

Seriously, I had to restrain myself from removing these people from the genepool. I mean, it's not like they're going to add anything to it. I really don't expect everyone to have a masters degree in astrophysics or anything. Hell, I'm not the brightest person out there by any means. But common knowledge and know-how would be appreciated. If only for my own sanity.


This might be me 10 years from now.

A tattoo...

2011-03-30T09:35:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I need you guys to give me your opinion.

A guy I know (who shall not be named), got a tattoo. And I just don't know what to think about it. What do you guys think? He got this tattoo'd on high right upper arm;

He's a big anime/manga fan, so I can understand him doing it. And the tattoo came out really well. It's just that... well... I DUNNO!?

(I told him I liked it though :P)

I can't get enough!

2011-03-29T16:32:00.000-07:00

Seriously... how can you not look at this little guy?

With mommy... He's so cute, my teeth are starting to rot from the sweetness. And yet, it's SO worth it. I can get fake teeth, I can't get a fake awesomely cute cat!

=^_^=

stare

2011-03-29T09:11:00.000-07:00

'The name's Buddha, Awesome Buddha.'

I'm so happy with my cat right now, I can't even think of something to write. It might have something to do with him trying to hypnotize me. And It's working...

Cuteness level off the charts!

2011-03-28T17:22:00.000-07:00

Before i go to bed I just wanna share this little tidbit;

I got a cat! And He's just too cute and awesome at the same time...

Welcome with a funny, buzzing, v.... Never mind!

2011-03-28T15:14:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my blog. This is basically a place for me to vent about the stuff that's going on in my life. It's crazy at times. Depressing at times. Hilarious at times.

[insert uncomfortable silence here]

Basically, it's a weird life!-_^

Take today for example;

I own my own hardware store that caters to anyone needing their dryer fixed, to a new lightbulb, to computer parts... well, a lot of things really. I'm basically the handyman around these parts.

The day started uneventful. The goods were delivered, grabbed a cup of coffee and as usual, I managed to avoid doing any actual work for the first two or so hours. It's one of the perks of being your own boss. But as time went on, customers started to appear. And I swear I will NEVER forget this one customer.

So, there I was. Unpacking the goods while it was still quiet and not many people around. The doorbell rang as the sliding doors opened and someone triggered the motion sensors hooked up to the bell. I look up at the customer and greet her. A slender, well-looking woman in what I guess were here early thirties. Now, I would never actually guess anyone's age to their face because I tend to get slapped when I do.

She responded with her own greeting as I guided her to the counter and asked how I could be of assistance. Suddenly she seemed a lot more timid and shy then she appeared at first. She pulled up her purse and put it on the counter, right in front of me. She rummaged through the bag while taking quick peeks at me. She wanted to say something but started stuttering a bit. Slowly she pulled a oval-shaped metallic object and a small remote control with two buttons from her purse.

'I need batteries for this but I can't open it.' she said.

I had no clue as to what the thing she pulled from her purse was. I nodded with a friendly smile, opened the remote control, pulled out the battery and told her we sold it. She seemed relieved that I was able to help her and told me she tried to open the metallic bit. I got her the battery and inserted it into the remote and pushed to test it.

...

...

The metallic part vibrated. Yes. That's right. It vibrated.

I'll leave the rest to your imagination. ~_^